Comments on: America: closing her door to freedomhttps://www.samizdata.net/2009/06/america-closing/
A blog for people with a critically rational individualist perspectiveFri, 09 Dec 2016 14:23:43 +0000hourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7By: Paul Markshttps://www.samizdata.net/2009/06/america-closing/#comment-189225
Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:26:18 +0000http://192.168.200.139/?p=12570#comment-189225I do not normally comment on typing mistakes (being one of the world’s worst keyboard users myself) – however the “Hayek wrote the Road to Serfdom in the early 50s” typo could mislead people.

It was of course the early 1940’s – with the book comming out in 1944 (the same year as Mises’ “Omnipotent Government”).

]]>By: Loki1https://www.samizdata.net/2009/06/america-closing/#comment-189224
Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:08:56 +0000http://192.168.200.139/?p=12570#comment-189224“Now diligent do-gooders want to ban school coke machines as well. And to think at my high school we could even smoke! …”

[I think perhaps you meant “Coke” machines. The capital letter is because it’s their trademark.]

“Today political correctness constipates free speech
at many schools…”

[Thank you! “Constipates” is an inspired verb here.]

“Furthermore, some of the distinctions which have
become sadly accepted in the PC game (e.g.,
chairman/woman to chair, or the linguistically
nonsensical history/herstory) just don’t make sense
in other languages.”

[Indeed! “Chair”, as a title, is simply ludicrous. Still
worse, I think, is “Chairperson”. And once, I did my bit
for the English language by refusing to accept one
such piece of mail that began by addressing me in that fashion. The sender durn well took note in her next communique.]

]]>By: Peterhttps://www.samizdata.net/2009/06/america-closing/#comment-189223
Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:24:15 +0000http://192.168.200.139/?p=12570#comment-189223It sure is time to think beyond wimpy measures like voting. I have some suggestions at http://me.stpeter.im/essays/storm.html — things like learning to shoot, blogging actively, networking outside the political process, bartering, buying and using gold and silver, encrypting your online communications, voting with your feet by moving to a lower-tax jurisdiction (easier in the States than the UK), and homeschooling. I’m sure there are many more practical steps that individuals can take to build a stronger and freer civil society…
]]>By: Lairdhttps://www.samizdata.net/2009/06/america-closing/#comment-189222
Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:20:32 +0000http://192.168.200.139/?p=12570#comment-189222No one ever pretended that Prohibition (of alcohol) wasn’t beyond the bounds of what the Constitution permitted – that’s why it was implemented by Constitutional amendment. At least our predecessors had the wit to recognize that that was necessary. Not so with the War on Drugs; there’s absolutely no Constitutional basis for it, but no one seems to care (or even notice). The Constitution has become a dead letter, followed only when it is convenient to do so and honored more in the breach than the observance.
]]>By: Nuke Gray!https://www.samizdata.net/2009/06/america-closing/#comment-189221
Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:18:22 +0000http://192.168.200.139/?p=12570#comment-189221Prohibition was passed, and repealed. It was not chucked out as being against the Constitution, or the Bill of rights, whatever. That was a warning.
And Prohibition of another kind took its’ place- the War on Drugs!
As for books to read- try that new one by Jacques Attali- “A Brief History Of The Future”. It concerns historical trends, and his main point is that the civilisations that maximize individual freedoms are more likely to survive and prosper than all others.
]]>By: Mike Mahoneyhttps://www.samizdata.net/2009/06/america-closing/#comment-189220
Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:28:27 +0000http://192.168.200.139/?p=12570#comment-189220Vote, sure. Also run for office. Participate in the campaign of your favorite pol. Then ride him like a borrowed mule. Buy those classics for your young’ns. Read them to the littlest ones. Teach them personal independence and responsible liberty. Become an informed juror. Stop thinking that yammerin’ at each other here on the net is activism. Exercise your rights. Get that gun. Write to a wider audience. Speak at townhall-like meetings. Attend school board, city council and county coucil meetings.
There you go. A list of things to do besides bleat here.
BTW, very good article by the OP.
]]>By: ZZMikehttps://www.samizdata.net/2009/06/america-closing/#comment-189219
Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:27:46 +0000http://192.168.200.139/?p=12570#comment-189219IanB: The connection between “banning beer” and the “nanny state” is a bit extreme. After all, we did repeal Prohibition.

The Nanny State came later, with FDR and his New Deal, which put into practice the notion of “entitlement”. Not “entitlement” after a lifetime of working and paying into the System (as it was originally set up (with a retirement age of 65 because the average life expectancy at the time was 63)), but an “entitlement” based on concepts like “I’m too weak or stupid to get a good job, so society owes me a ‘living wage’ “, which Democrats are happy to provide, just so long as they keep getting voted in and there are enough people willing and able to work and pay into that System.

One problem with the Libertarian Party in the US is that they’ve been putting up totally unelectable candidates – like Badnarik and Gravel.

tom: “teach the test” The problem seems to be, just what is that test, today? If it doesn’t measure the things you mention – “english, math and science. I WANT my kids to learn these” – to which I would add Critical Thinking – then what use is it? And why not?

Kim: “… as they flee the MA statism and taxes only to reproduce them in NH.”

That is eerily reminiscent of the first MA inhabitants, who fled religious persecution in Europe only to establish it in the New World. As long as I’m doing the persecution, it’s quite OK.

“[homeschooling] … I’m surprised that it’s not being trumpeted as such. ”

That may well be because they want to stay under the radar. In Germany, people have been arrested for having the gall to homeschool their kids.

Anyone wanting to learn about the sad sorry state of education in this country should read Diane Ravitch’s “Left Back: A Century of Battles over School Reform”. It’s been one failed experiment after another.

We really need to look at what’s happening in Britain today to see where we’re headed. It’s not a pretty picture. And by its example, we have been warned.

Pray tell me how voting is going to help. Please discuss Venezualen and Russian examples. (and I have voted since 1973, in every election available to me, so let not that hinder your thoughts)

Then discuss voter registration fraud, census frand and gerrymandering. Be sure to reference the practices and goals of the present administration.

Just suppose that we all vote (OK, 50%). And are never again able to vote in anyone but Democrats.

Please also discuss the prospects for the removal of the 14th Amendment. Illustrate, please, the New York congresscritter who annually introduces a bill for this purpose. Discuss the meaning of this with respect to the Adoration of the One, and one-party government.

Then get back to me about the value of the vote.

]]>By: ZZMikehttps://www.samizdata.net/2009/06/america-closing/#comment-189217
Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:50:51 +0000http://192.168.200.139/?p=12570#comment-189217Also read “The Road to Serfdom” by Hayek. He wrote that back in the early 50s. He was talking mainly about Britain, but they’re so far down that road today it’s a lost cause.

We’ve still got a chance, but it’s going to take a lot of work on everybody’s part to take back the country our fathers fought and died for.

]]>By: Dr. Kenneth Noisewaterhttps://www.samizdata.net/2009/06/america-closing/#comment-189216
Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:32:20 +0000http://192.168.200.139/?p=12570#comment-189216Frankly, I’m still working thru _Liberal Fascism_, every few dozen pages I have to close it and take a bunch of deep breaths to clear my rage… Think I really may have to move to TX after all, when the US bits the shed I think that may be where we see a libertarian possibility (Colorado’s already too far gone off the hippy-dippy end, dunno bout WY or SD..)
]]>By: monkeyfanhttps://www.samizdata.net/2009/06/america-closing/#comment-189215
Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:30:58 +0000http://192.168.200.139/?p=12570#comment-189215Looking at the march of statism and it’s manifest success as demonstrated by the voting people of this republic who really love their free lunches, I’m more inclined to believe that Boston’s Gun Bible is a more useful tool for libertarians who value their individual liberty than a million gay marriages or medical marijuana clinics. Who needs the government to sanction these activities anyway?

These issues, besides sceding moral authority to the authoritarians, are nothing more than statist distractions that will eventually be used as a gift – after their value has played out – to make you sit down and shut up about liberty.